Nine people were killed and 10 others wounded when gunmen opened fire at a tavern in Bekkersdal township, South Africa, marking the second mass shooting in the country in three weeks.
The attack occurred just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at KwaNoxolo Tavern in the township located 28 miles west of Johannesburg. About 12 suspects arrived at the scene in a white minibus and a silver sedan before opening fire on patrons inside the licensed establishment.
The gunmen, some wearing balaclavas, were armed with an AK-47 rifle and several 9mm pistols. Three people were killed inside the tavern before the attackers rushed into the streets, where six more victims died in the indiscriminate shooting. A ride-hailing driver who had just dropped off a client was among those killed in the crossfire.
“It is reported that about 12 unknown suspects in a white kombi [a minibus] and a silver sedan opened fire at tavern patrons and continued to shoot randomly as they fled the scene,” police said in a statement.
The gunmen searched victims after shooting them, taking valuables including phones before fleeing the area. The 10 wounded individuals were transported to hospital for treatment.
Fred Kekana, acting police commissioner of Gauteng, confirmed that a manhunt is underway for the suspects. Gauteng Serious and Violent Crime Investigations is collaborating with the Crime Detection Tracing Unit to track down those responsible for the attack.
“The tavern is licensed,” police spokesperson Brenda Muridili confirmed. She added that investigators are working to determine the motive behind the shooting.
The attack represents the second mass shooting in South Africa within three weeks. On December 6, another mass shooting occurred at an unlicensed bar near Pretoria, approximately 100 kilometers from the latest incident. That shooting claimed 12 lives, including a 3-year-old child.
South Africa continues to struggle with one of the world’s highest homicide rates. The country recorded almost 26,000 homicides in 2024, averaging more than 70 deaths per day. Firearms represent the leading cause of death in these homicides, with many murders committed using illegal firearms despite the nation’s comparatively stringent gun control laws.
The Bekkersdal region near Johannesburg has faced ongoing challenges with violence. The township sits surrounded by abandoned mine shafts, creating conditions that have fostered illicit mining operations. These illegal activities have contributed to serious social problems, including gang violence and the proliferation of illegal firearms throughout the area.
Mass shootings at bars, commonly referred to as shebeens or taverns in South Africa, have become an increasingly concerning pattern in recent years. These informal drinking establishments serve as community gathering places but have repeatedly become targets of violence.
The country’s population of 62 million people faces persistent challenges related to violent crime. Despite government efforts to implement strict firearms regulations, the widespread availability of illegal weapons continues to fuel deadly violence across urban and rural areas alike.
Authorities have mobilized extensive resources to investigate Sunday’s shooting. Police deployed forensic crime scene management teams, crime intelligence units, and provincial detective teams to the scene. Investigators are collecting witness statements and gathering evidence in hopes of identifying and apprehending the suspects.
The attack in Bekkersdal occurred during the early morning hours when the tavern would typically be filled with weekend patrons. The scale of the assault, involving approximately a dozen gunmen and multiple vehicles, suggests a coordinated operation rather than a spontaneous act of violence.
Police have not released the identities of the victims or provided details about their ages or backgrounds. The investigation remains in its early stages, with authorities working to establish whether the shooting was targeted or random in nature.
The recent surge in mass shootings at drinking establishments has raised questions about security measures and the ability of law enforcement to prevent such attacks. The December 6 shooting near Pretoria and Sunday’s incident in Bekkersdal have occurred within a short timeframe, amplifying concerns about public safety.
Community members in Bekkersdal and surrounding areas face ongoing fears about violence. The township’s proximity to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and economic hub, means that incidents of this magnitude receive significant attention from national authorities and media.
The manhunt continues as investigators work to bring the perpetrators to justice. Police have urged anyone with information about the shooting to come forward, emphasizing that community cooperation is essential to solving the case and preventing future attacks.
South African authorities face mounting pressure to address the country’s gun violence epidemic. The frequency of mass casualty events, combined with the daily toll of individual homicides, has created a public health crisis that extends beyond law enforcement into broader social and economic challenges facing the nation.
